Did you ever say “Good morning” to a stranger and have them look at you as if you were crazy? Sure…they may have been deep in thought or mulling over a personal problem, but was your greeting that unusual to warrant the reaction you received? What does it say about that person, much less about… [Read More]
Are You Running Out of Patience?
It seems like yesterday that written communication was sent by mail; food was reheated on a stove; and you traveled all the way to a store to buy merchandise. Now, if you’re like most people, you get frustrated when email takes a moment to appear in your inbox; the microwave takes a few seconds to… [Read More]
Do You Deserve to Be Trusted?
Some things occur naturally like the sunrise, seasons, and the changing of the tides. Many folks put trust in the same category, thinking it’s simply a natural outgrowth of relationships. Nothing could be further from the truth. What’s more, if you believe that trust is inevitable, you’re far less likely to make the effort required… [Read More]
Never Say “I’m Sorry” Unless You Mean It
We all make mistakes. When you try to repair the damage, do you make the situation better or worse? We’ve all been raised to say “ I’m sorry ” after hurting someone through our words or actions, but is your apology disingenuous or a meaningful expression of regret? What are the ingredients of an effective… [Read More]
Sacrifice for the Greater Good AND for Your Own Good
Some people think they deserve all the good things in life simply because others have them. It never occurs to them that the folks they marvel at probably worked their butts off and made great sacrifices to earn those rewards. If you believe the American work ethic is “old school,” you’d better repeat the class…. [Read More]
I’m Not a Mind Reader. Are You?
“Pick a number between one and twenty-five. Wrong. Let’s try again. What’s my favorite color? Or my favorite food?” As crazy as this sounds, we bury our thoughts and then expect others to know what we’re thinking. Are you a mind reader? Why does this happen? Some folks have trouble expressing their thoughts and feelings… [Read More]
Hey, Can You Do Me a Favor?
People ask for favors all the time. So you’d think we’d have the process down to a science. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. In fact, some of us are so bad at asking for a favor that we offend people, burn bridges, and even damage credibility in the process. Do you know how to ask… [Read More]
Surround Yourself with Top-Notch People
A lot has been said about the impact that toxic waste has on the environment. Consider the impact that toxic people have on your life. The fact is, people influence you every day. Do they inspire you or sap your energy? Do they want what’s best for you, or are they out for themselves? Do… [Read More]